Whitman High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Whitman, MA)

Page 22 text:

Ofqve QVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVOVQVQVQVQVQVQV-VQVQVQVQV QVQVQVQVQ Q 9 'A'A'A',x.A'A'A'A.A'A.A'A'A'A'A'A'A'A'A' 'A',G By jane Holbrook and Gertrude Croke GERTRUDE: Why, Jane Holbrook, of all people! I haven't seen you since we graduated from High School ten years ago. JANE: Gertrude Croke! It's good to see you again. What are you doing now? GERTRUDE: Oh, I'm working at the David King Laboratories. Nancy Altman is also working there as assistant to David in the synthetic rub- ber section. They are making quite a fortune for themselves. Where are you working ? JANE: 'Tm working for the Robert Goodwin Electrical Supplies Co. I have charge of all corre- spondence for the incoming orders, and Ruth Borges has charge of all outgoing work. Book- keeper Gladys Peterson published the report for the annual fiscal period, and I find that the com- pany is in very good financial condition. By the way, have you seen any of the rest of the class since we graduated ? GERTRUDE: Now that this war is over we'll probably have time to renew our old friendships. Wasn't it wonderful the way Chester Hatchfield out-did Douglas MacArthur and became the out- standing general of World War No. Z? JANE: That was quite an honor, but I read in a paper the other day that Raymond Ball has been made an admiral in the U. S. Navy because of his extraordinary record as a seaman. I also heard that Arlene Flavell has joined her husband in the Army, and Lillian Packard is soon leaving on a secret voyage with her sailor husband. GERTRUDE: Really! Well, Jane, as I was rid- ing to the station today, I saw an accident which involved some of our classmates. It seems that David Ibbitson, President of the Progressive Vegetable Growers of Massachusetts, and his wife Ethel-you remember Ethel Glenn-were hurry- ing to get to his office to confer with Gerald Reed, Vice-President of the same organization, concern- ing the expected rise in the prices of cauliflower and spinach. As he swerved around the corner, he collided with a taxi driven by Paul Howland, who was, as usual, coming down a one-way street the wrong way. No one was hurt, fortunately, but Police Chief Richard Brine, who was arguing with his wife, the former Martha Davis, as to whether she should have steak or pork chops for dinner, came over to settle the affair, ably assisted by Patrolmen Robert Donahue, Charles Higgins, and Harry Morgan. Look, Jane, what does that bill- board say? JANE: I think it says-yes, it does-'Wel- come to the grand opening of the Skate-land- Dance-land. Combination skating rink and dance hall. Open nightly under the competent manage- ment of Thelma Marceau and Pauline Churchill. Music furnished by that well-known star of stage and screen, Charles Donoghue and his Basin Street Boys.' Now isn't that surprising ? GERTRUDE: Charles certainly has been very successful, and one reason for his great success is his drummer, Ernest Smith. Hep Cats all over the world claim Smith is the best drummer since Gene Krupa retired from the orchestra World. JANE: Well, all of the news about. our class- mates isn't good news. Yesterday I visited Francis Chiros, who was injured in the recent world series between the Whitman Indians and the Abington Dodgers. It seems that, as outfielder Bob Ibbit- son, who has recently turned traitor and joined the Abington Dodgers, slid into third base, he kicked dust into Chiros' eyes, thus preventing him from seeing the ball. The ball struck Francis on the head and stunned him. This injury caused him to withdraw from the game. He was assisted from the field by outfielder Robert Harrington, who had gradually worked himself from bat boy to regular left fielder. An ambulance was immediately sum- moned from the Sweeney General Hospital by John Zoobkoff, manager of the Indians. When the ambulance arrived, John Ferry, the driver, assisted the orderlies, Thomas Casserly and John Hunt, in placing the delirious Chiros in the ambulance. Head Surgeon William Sweeney's secretary, Jean Harper, took the particulars of the case and then had Chiros in a private room. Emily Brittain, Marie Croghan, and Phyllis Hall as day nurses, and Ruth Johnson and Gertrude Daly as night nurses, are taking the best possible care of Chiros. At present he is resting comfortably. GERTRUDE: I'm glad that he is feeling bet- ter. By the Way, have you seen the new movie, 'The Sheik Returns,' starring Robert Brennan, who plays opposite Rosalie Kirby, the Bette Davis of 1952? It is now currently showing at the Vic- tory Theatre, owned and successfully operated by Joe Burns. The picture was produced by the Henry McGuane Studios, and was directed by Martin Tufankjian, who is noted for his fast-mov- ing and thrill-packed adventure pictures. JANE: I guess that I shall have to see that picture. Speaking of pictures, when I turned on my television set today, I heard News Commentator

Page 21 text:

A.lX.A.1X.lX,1X.A.lK. Q'. . QVQVQVQVQVQVOVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVQVQ I CLASS H ISTCRY D 0 5 9 P 9 D O D O D 9 P O D 9 O O 5 Z 9 O ogfygufn By Priscilla Little and fanice M011f'0e On September 7, 1938, we entered high school with the air of grown-up self-assurance, but when we gazed upon the sophisticated seniors, we de- cided we were still mere babies. Our career as a class did not start until the next year, so not much to be remembered occurred. The boys joined Glee Club and the scrub football and baseball teams, while the girls went out for gym work. Many of the class became frequent visitors to Room 116. Our class has always been known for its prowess in arriving on time. After a ten weeks' vacation, we resumed work as Sophomores on September 6, 1939. Shortly after the beginning of school, the Class of '42 assembled for our first election of officers. At this time, Robert Donahue was chosen Presidentg Josephine Burns, Vice-President, Evelyn Corliss, Secretaryg and Joseph Burns, Treasurer. Miss Reynolds and Mr. Goodell were appointed advisers. A long-to-be-remembered event was the Sopho- more Hop on January 12, the first dance of the class. The decorations were winter scenes with snowmen, skaters, and skiiers all about the gym- nasium. March 15 found us in the gym, watching some of our class members performing with great skill their various feats on the horizontal bars, horse, etc. Members of our class participated in the exhi- bition held each year. June 21 came quickly, and we again enjoyed a ten weeks' leave. On September 9, 1940, the Class of '42 returned to Whitman High. This time, as upper-classmen, we were looking forward to a busy year. Our second class election was held, keeping Robert Donahue as President, and electing Eleanor Bearce, Jean Harper, and Chester Mann as Vice- President, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively. Mr. Goodell and Miss Reynolds continued as our advisers. Our Junior Dance was held November 22, with the gymnasium decorated in nautical fashion with a ship's wheel and Navy flags of all kinds. On March 25 we had the privilege of listening to a program given by the W. P. A. Band of Brockton. It was both entertaining and educational, and we hoped that they could come again. We held our Junior Prom, the leading social event of the year, on May 16, 1941. The decora- tions and refreshments were in keeping with the name-Stardust-and roses were given as favors to every guest. The affair was a success in every way. At the beginning of the spring vacation during April, Mr. Goodell left to join the Navy. We were very sorry to see him leave, but were also proud of his being the first faculty member to join the service. For the rest of the year, we were ex- tremely grateful to Mr. Des Landes for all the help he gave us until our new adviser, Mr. Magnu- son, was appointed. On June 20 we were again looking forward to several weeks of vacation before we began our last year of school. On September 3, 1941, we once again started our old life. Immediately, we settled down to busi- ness and elected a new set of officers, who were- President, Nelson LeGalleeg Vice-President, Mary Renshawg Secretary, Gertrude Crokeg and Treas- urer, Robert Harrington. The first dance of the current year was our Travel Dance of October 17, which started the social activities off in the right spirit. In December, we gave the Football Banquet for the squad. Everyone enjoyed himself immensely, and went home well-fed. ' The next hit was scored by the Mad Hatters, held on December 12, which showed the talents of some of our class members. Perhaps we shall see some of them on the stage in the future. For the last dance we were to sponsor, we picked a very appropriate date in February, Fri- day the 13th, and held the Senior Soopa Spooka. Even the most superstitious persons were seen having a good time that evening. We, being a patriotic class, decided to give up something that was unnecessary, as every citizen is doing at this crucial time. At a meeting of the class, we voted to leave from our program the class banquet, which is usually held on class day. Also, we patriotic seniors have been doing our share in buying defense stamps, and have led the school in the collecting of waste paper. Our school days, the happiest time in our life, will end with graduation, on Friday evening, June 12. The event which will really close our high school career is the gala reception to be held on June 15, the Monday evening following graduation. 17

Page 23 text:

T H E Y E A R B O O K 1 9 4 2 QWZZWKDQJQKDQJWFDQWKDQQJOVDQJWEQJQKDQVQKDQJQWDQJWKDQJWKEQJOKD Beatrice Barry, 'Winchell for short,' flash out the scoop that scientist Gerald Burbine has revolu- tionized the vitamin theory by discovering a new vitamin, S, which as far as experts Nelson Le Gallee, Roy Littlehale, and Arnold Seamans can discover, is a combination of all known vitamins. GERTRUDE: I always knew Jake would end up inventing something. The other day I went into the Modern Gown Shoppe, and was I surprised to find that it is owned by Doris Woods! Models Evelyn Corliss and Eleanor Bearce helped me select my dress, which was designed by Eunice Drake, nationally known dress creator. I paid my bill to Alice Edmonds, who is the business man- ager for the organization. JANE: I've heard about that successful Gown Shoppe, but one of our other classmates isn't hav- ing such good luck. Did you read about that fire in Chicago last week? It's the biggest thing of its kind since Mrs. Murphy's cow destroyed half the city. Louise MacLaughlin Hayes' beautiful 16 room estate was completely ruined by flames. Fire Chief Albert Wirzburger and his assistant fire- fighters, three of whom are classmates of ours, Richard King, Chester Mann, and Verne Porter, did their best to save the Hayes' home, but their efforts were fruitless. Chief Wirzburger proved himself a hero by risking his life to save Aviatrix Marie La Freniere who had flown down to spend the week-end at Louise's home. Congressman Robert Crosby later presented Wirzburger with a medal from the citizens of Chicago for his brave act. GERTRUDE: Talk about fame! The other day I met Edith Sayce, noted soprano, who invited me to attend her next week's concert at the Music Hall in Radio City. She told me that she would have her manager, Adelaide Tirrell, send me a ticket--but at present she said that Adelaide was on a ticket selling campaign, and wouldn't be in New York until early next week. JANE: I dropped into Mary Carey's Tea shop the other afternoon. When I finished my tea, the leaves were read by Madame Dorothy Morgan, noted mystic and reader of palms. The entertain- ment was furnished by contralto Jean Lincoln and violinist Martha Schatzl. As I glanced around the room, I saw Patricia Devine, author of the book of poems, 'Silent Reveries,' and her secretary, Janice Monroe, just leaving. GERTRUDE: I haven't been there as yet, but I hope to be able to go soon. The other after- noon I had an appointment at Norma Bradshaw's Twentieth Century Beauty Salon. Receptionist Helen McGrail directed me to the gym where I noticed Marion Jones putting her customers through their exercises, while at the farther end of the gym, Mary Hogg was giving a lecture on good grooming to a group of high school students. Upstairs, hairdressers Rhoda Freeman and Norma Nickerson and manicurist Gladys Cabral were busily attending to their duties. Norma told me she had received a letter from Delma Stoddar, who is now in charge of the office at the Com- monwealth Shoe Factory, saying that Alice Taylor was proclaimed 'Nation's No. 1 Talker., In a re- cent contest, Judge Elizabeth McCarthy said that Alice broke all known records by saying 1,000 words in a minute. Delma told Norma to listen in next Tuesday evening to station SAP at 8:00, Alice is going to be interviewed by June Gegen- heimer, hostess of the 'We the Public,' sponsored by the Jack Clifford Chain Stores, successors to First National Stores, Inc. I think that Helen Walo, head of all Girl Scouting in America, is also going to appear on that program. JANE: I guess that I shall have to listen in. Speaking of programs, have you heard how June Ladouceur has changed the program of the whole engineering system by discovering a noiseless ex- plosive for use in blasting? She discovered it one afternoon by mixing half a pound of sodium, potassium, and calcium in a gallon of water. Not a sound was heard, but when her assistant, Hugh Cox, returned to the room, he foundithe laboratory in complete ruins. The solution apparently did not explode immediately, because June had left the room with her secretary, Taimi Maki, to attend a conference at the Chemistry Building with bac- teriologists Adela Rymut and Eleanor Seeger. GERTRUDE: June certainly had a narrow escape, didn't she! Here's another bit of surpris- ing news. Rita Murray, who has decided that she wants a career instead of a husband, announced the opening of her Little Theatre Group in New York City. She has selected Elena Gentile as her leading actress. Next week the group is going to put on that well-known Shakespearean play, 'Ham- let,' with Harry Nickerson playing the leading role. JANE: I think that Harry will make an ex- cellent Hamlet. Oh, I knew that I had something to tell you! Recently, I visited Whitman High School, where I found Mary Renshaw in charge of the Commercial Department, ably assisted by Grace Kenneally and Priscilla Little. At the same time, I met Phyllis Benson, who is the school nurse. Whitman High School has become so en- larged that two additional secretaries are required in the office, and these positions are filled by Kath- leen Treptow and Shirley Danner. Marie Paul has 19